Social media platform Facebook is the latest battle ground for Katherine CouncilSource: AFP

KATHERINE Town Council staff are now expected to “dibber dobber” on any ill-informed opinions of the council.

Katherine Mayor, Fay Miller.Source: News Limited

At a council meeting on July 29, members adopted a social media policy that requires all council staff to report back any information posted online to the chief executive officer that may damage the council’s reputation.

It comes just a month after former council chief executive David Laugher engaged in an abusive online argument on a “Katherine and NT Issues” Facebook post.

In another post on the “Katherine and NT issues” Facebook page, Katherine residents appeared irate about the new policy.

“It ... states that KTC employees have to dibber dobber on the general population who may comment in the negative about council ... Welcome to the nanny state,” Julie Morris wrote.

In part of the social media policy, passed 7-0, it reads: “Inappropriate or disparaging content and information stored or posted by others (including non-employees) in the social media environment may also damage Katherine Town Council’s reputation.

“If you become aware of any such material which may damage Katherine Town Council or its reputation, you must immediately notify your manager and chief executive officer.”

The new policy also bans aldermen and staff from making comments “which might reflect negatively on Katherine Town Council’s reputation or make deliberately false or misleading claims about Katherine Town Council, or its products or services”.

Katherine Mayor Fay Miller said the council adopted the policy to make sure that elected members and staff are not disparaging of each other in the workplace, but denied that the policy was enforced after Mr Laugher’s online fiasco.

“Fair dinkum, there’s nothing secret squirrel about it,” she said.

Chief executive Neroli Dickens said the template was provided by the chamber of commerce. “It’s not a hard task, and it’s actually common sense,” she said.

Facebook commentator Allison Davidson wrote: “And whatever happened to your views, opinions comments blah blah blah being your own and not that of your employer. Council employees are not only being gagged but also required to be the spy & report back. Sheez who’s the abuser?”

Comments on this story

iheartcfb of the blogosphere Posted at 1:07 PM August 09, 2014

An important question is-what are they going to do about it once they find out that someone is making negative comments? Sack them for having an opinion?!!! Has the CEO nothing better to do than read whiny comments from employees dobbing in their fellow workers? Obviously not. Maybe Katherine is in such great shape that the CEO does actually have all that spare time. I remember Tony Abbott decreeing something similar for the Feds. Pathetic Policies: Proudly Sponsored by Northern Territory Government. Yet another Facebook Flop waiting to happen. Social media abuse is a serious business, it can drive people to seek alternative Health remedies that might end up causing them and others more problems. Cardfightback - you gave good advice, stay off social media.

Bill Phrennan of from the frying pan into the fire Posted at 11:40 AM August 09, 2014

I hope everyone who reads this article REMEMBERS THAT THE NT GOV SAID THIS.
I have a hunch there are more stories to come.......

philsfacebookflop of Cardfightback Posted at 11:11 AM August 09, 2014

The best way to get rid of negative comments is to do the right thing - NTG take note! A bullying, tell-tale approach is going to be counter-productive. Censorship is based on fear. Unchecked online behaviour can quickly lead into defamation and damage to people's reputations and livelihoods however.
Rules about social media should be the same for everyone but sadly it appears that there is one rule for some and another rule for others...if you have friends in high places that is.
Here's a thought experiment for you: Imagine the damage someone could do if they made a fake account and used that to make all sorts of comments around the internet! This could then be used to plant false stories and opinions to try to sway opinion away from a particular position. What if the Gov then used these accounts to try to poison the well for teachers with who they were bargaining for better pay and conditions in schools? See the disastrous domino effect that would follow? See how belief in the whole negotiations could collapse if such a thing came to light?